Dye Sub vs Double Shot Keycaps: Which One to Choose?

What is Dye Sublimation?

Dye sublimation is a manufacturing process that uses dye sublimation ink. When exposed to high temperatures, the ink sublimates into the material, allowing the pattern to be printed directly onto the surface.

How Does Dye Sublimation Work?

Firstly, we must print the key legends on a special heat transfer paper with heat sublimation ink.

Then, place the uncarved keycaps into the vacuum heat transfer machine and secure them with a mold. And cover the keycaps with the printed heat transfer paper, ensuring a tight fit.

Lastly, turn on the vacuum heat transfer machine and heat it to about 170°C. This process sublimates the heat-sublimation ink, allowing the ink molecules to penetrate the surface and interior of the PBT material, completing the printing process.

Materials Used

PBT is the most suitable material for keycaps with dye sublimation. You can find a wide array of designs and styles of PBT dye sublimation keycaps from Akko. From anime-inspired keycaps that bring vibrant, fantastical worlds to life to festive themes like Christmas or romantic Valentine's pinks, there’s something for everyone.

Whatever your preference, personalize your keyboard to make it truly one of a kind, reflecting your unique style and personality.

Pros of Dye Sublimation Keycaps

• Color and Design Flexibility: Dye-sublimation technology allows dye molecules to penetrate into materials such as PBT, achieving very rich and bright colours, meeting users' needs for personalized keyboard color matching, and designing a variety of complex and gorgeous patterns and colour combinations.
• Clear character patterns: Generally, the characters and patterns of the sublimation keycaps are printed finely, with good details, and can present various fonts, icons, and other elements, providing users with a comfortable visual experience.
• Wear-resistant and not easy to fade: Because the dye is closely combined with the keycap material to form a solid coating, the sublimation keycaps have good wear resistance, are not prone to character wear and fading after long-term use, and have a long service life.

Cons of Dye Sublimation Keycaps

• Legend fades over time: Over time, the dye can fade, especially on keycaps exposed to heavy wear, sunlight, or oils from fingers.
• Material Limitations: While dye sublimation works well with PBT, the technique is not as versatile across other plastics.

What is Double Shot?

Double-shot is a manufacturing process that combines two different plastics and uses the difference in color of the two plastics to display the font. The original color from the plastic can make the color more pure.

How Does Double Shot Work?

Firstly, we need to design the pattern and create the mold. Each unique key position usually requires an individual mold. 

Secondly, we can go to the first injection molding process. Melt and inject the first color of plastic to form the base or character layer, ensuring precise control of parameters. Cool the mold to solidify the plastic and maintain accuracy.

Then, we can go to the second molding process. Inject the second color over the first layer to create characters or patterns. Also, cool the mold again to finalize and integrate the keycap layers.

In this way, we can produce durable, high-quality double-shot keycaps with intricate designs.

Materials Used

The keycap materials supported by double-shot keycaps mainly include ABS, PBT, PC, and POM.

Pros of Double Shot Keycaps

• Incredibly Durable Legends: The legends will never fade or wear off, no matter how often the keycaps are used.
• High-Quality Aesthetics: Double-shot keycaps often have a clean, crisp, and professional look, with sharp, defined legends that stand out.
• Translucent legends: Double-shot keycaps can achieve keycaps with transparent or translucent legends for RGB lighting.

Cons of Double Shot Keycaps

• Limited pattern complexity: It is difficult to produce keycaps with more detailed and complex patterns. 

Dye Sub vs Double Shot: Key Differences

Feature	Double-Shot Keycaps	Dye-Sublimation Keycaps
Process Principle	Combines two plastics via dual injection molding.	Transfers dye onto keycap surface using heat.
Legend Clarity	Sharp and precise characters.	Slight blurring may occur.
Legend Durability	Highly wear-resistant, characters stay intact.	Good durability but may fade over time.
Long-Term Wear	Legends last a lifetime	Legends may fade with heavy use
Colors	Vivid, rich, and detailed color combinations.	Customizable with unique, personalized designs.
Material	PBT, ABS, PC, POM	PBT
Customization	Limited to high-contrast, simple designs	High customization potential (multi-color, artwork)
Use Cases	High-quality, long-lasting; ideal for enthusiasts.	Personalized designs; great for themed keyboards.

Dye Sublimation is a great choice if you want intricate designs and multi-colored legends. However, the legends may fade over time, and it’s generally more suited to users who value design flexibility over ultimate durability.

Double Shot keycaps are ideal for those who want the highest durability with permanent, sharp legends. They are a better option for long-term usage, especially in professional settings or for gamers who require the most durable keycap legends.

Dye sublimation and double shot can be applied to the keycaps together. The keycaps of the MonsGeek M1 V5 Contour Lines Mechanical Keyboard combine the dye sub and double-shot manufacturing process. Double-shot keeps the translucent legends, and then use the dye-sub to showcase intricate contour line patterns and varying heights for a three-dimensional effect.

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Dye Sublimation:

• If you prefer multi-colored, intricate designs or artwork on your keycaps.
• If you're okay with the potential for some legend fade over time but still want a durable and high-quality keycap set.

Choose Double Shot: 

• If you want extremely durable legends that will never fade, wear off, or become illegible over time.
  
• If you want high contrast, clear legends with a simple, professional design.

Your choice depends on whether you value design flexibility (Dye Sub) or simple design and long-term quality (Double Shot). Both methods have their merits, but it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and intended use.

Conclusion

Whether you're a fan of dye-sublimation or a devotee of double-shot keycaps, the key is to find the one that resonates with your soul. After all, keycaps are more than just decorations on your keyboard—they're an extension of your personality and style.

So don't hesitate—add a touch of color and soul to your keyboard today!